After a dramatic 4-2 shootout victory over Loyola on Sunday (Nov. 3) in the quarterfinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship, the Drake women’s soccer team has advanced into the MVC Championship semifinals where the Bulldogs will face second-seeded Indiana State on Friday (Nov. 8) in Evansville, Ind. Game time at Black Beauty Field at McCutchan Stadium is slated for 3:36 p.m.

SCOUTING THE SYCAMORESIndiana State (9-8) is riding a five-game winning streak entering its contest versus Drake on Friday (Nov. 8). The Sycamores earned the No. 2 MVC Championship seed after besting the Bulldogs, 1-0, in double-overtime last Thursday (Oct. 31) at the Cownie Soccer Complex. Freshman Abby Reed and sophomore Kate Johnson have accounted for 16 of Indiana State’s 29 goals this season as the duo has recorded nine and seven goals, respectively. Freshman goalkeeper Brittany San Roman owns the bulk of the minutes in goal for the Sycamores registering 57 saves and sporting a 1.46 goals against average and four shutouts.

DRAKE MVC CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORYThe Bulldogs will be playing in their 18th MVC Championship contest all-time, owning a 6-9-2 mark in the previous 17 games. Drake encounters Indiana State for the third time. Each side owns a victory, with the Bulldogs besting the Sycamores in the quarterfinal round at Drake Stadium on Nov. 1, 2009, 3-1. A year earlier, on Nov. 5, 2008 in Omaha, Neb., Indiana State garnered a 1-0 double-overtime triumph past the Bulldogs in the quarterfinal round.

MVC CHAMPIONSHIPThe winner of Friday’s contest advances to the championship match on Sunday (Nov. 10) in Evansville, Ind., versus the winner of the contest between top-seeded Illinois State and fifth-seeded Evansville. Match time is slated for 1:07 p.m. at McCutchan Stadium.

SERIES HISTORYFor the 15th time overall, Drake and Indiana State square off with the Bulldogs owning a 10-3-1 series lead. In the regular season encounter, Indiana State defeated Drake, 1-0, in double-overtime last Thursday (Oct. 31) at the Cownie Soccer Complex.

THE COACHESIndiana State: Erika True is in her fifth campaign directing the Sycamores. She has registered a 34-51-7 (.418) ledger at Indiana State. Drake: In her sixth season on the Drake sidelines as head coach is Lindsey Horner, who owns a 46-52-19 record (.474).

DRAKE HEAD COACH LINDSEY HORNERLindsey Horner is in her sixth season leading the Drake women’s soccer program, owning a 46-52-19 record as head coach after serving five seasons (2003-08) as assistant coach for the Bulldogs.

Horner was named to her position on April 10, 2008, becoming only the second head coach for women’s soccer, which began as a varsity sport in 2002.

The Bulldogs had a turnaround campaign in 2012 as Drake posted a 12-5-4 record on the strength of eight shutouts, including a third-place Missouri Valley Conference showing with a 3-1-2 league mark.

The Bulldogs registered a school-record eight straight victories from Aug. 31 through Sept. 22 as part of a nine-game unbeaten streak.

Senior Kelsey Pigg was tabbed an honorable mention All-MVC Scholar-Athlete. Moklestad also was recognized for her academic success being selected by the NSCAA to its Women’s University Scholar All-North/Central Regional First Team.

Drake was one of 74 schools nationwide that was honored with either the Gold, Silver or Bronze version of the Team Ethics Award by the NSCAA.

Horner, a native of West Des Moines, Iowa, was a four-year letterwinner at Kansas, being named the Jayhawks’ most valuable offensive player as a senior in 2000. She was an all-academic Big 12 Conference selection in the spring of 2001 and graduated in 2002 with a bachelor of science degree from the school of education, majoring in exercise science with an emphasis in sports management. She earned a master’s degree in adult learning and organizational performance with an emphasis in leadership at Drake.

Horner holds a Premier Coaching Diploma from the NSCAA and an ‘A’ license from USSF.

BULLDOGS ADVANCE PAST LOYOLA ON PENALTY KICKSSenior Brittany Schuling (Bondurant, Iowa/Bondurant-Farrar) delivered a successful penalty kick in the fifth and final round of a shootout to advance Drake into the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship following a 4-2 shootout triumph on Sunday (Nov. 3) at Loyola, in what will go into the record books as a 1-1 double-overtime draw.

For the second consecutive year, the Bulldogs went to penalty kicks to decide a winner in their MVC quarterfinal contest. A year ago, sixth-seeded Creighton bested Drake 8-7 in 10 penalty rounds.

Both teams missed their opening attempts in the shootout with junior goalkeeper Andrea Swanson (Clive, Iowa/Valley) and Loyola keeper Monica Gonyo each pulling in the save.

Freshman Rebecca Rodgers (Peotone, Ill./Peotone) stepped to the line next and buried the shot. Mariah Vichich matched Rodgers, converting her attempt to even penalty kicks at one.

Sophomore Kylie DeHaven (Olathe, Kan./Olathe East) pushed Drake’s advantage to 2-1 before Tricia Stonebreaker squared it at two after three rounds.

Junior Ashlie Stokes (Sioux City, Iowa/Sioux City North) gave the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead connecting on her attempt in the fourth round. Monika Lee followed by delivering her attempt high for the Ramblers.

Schuling then stepped to the line and nailed the decisive penalty kick sending Drake into a midfield celebration.

The Ramblers garnered the early advantage in the game when Hailey Merrill registered her second goal of the year at the 20:33 mark.

Stokes netted the equalizer for Drake just before halftime connecting on a header off a corner kick from DeHaven in the 41st minute (40:11). The tally was the fourth on the campaign for Stokes. The goal also marked the first postseason score for the Bulldogs since 2009.

The goalkeepers then took over in the contest combining to register eight saves in the second half and overtime. Swanson recorded six of those stops, including three in overtime. Gonyo didn’t collect a save in overtime.

Loyola posted an 18-12 margin in shoots in the affair, including 9-5 on goal.

The Bulldogs received four, three and two shots, respectively, from Stokes, senior Paige Dusek (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) and Rodgers. Swanson finished the tilt with a game-high eight saves for Drake.

The Bulldogs had their opportunities to register goals in the affair recording a 17-11 advantage in shots, with six different players netting shots on goal. The Sycamores bettered Drake in shots on goal, 7-6, and posted three shots in overtime, including the game-winner by Reed.

WINSTEAD GARNERS CAPITAL ONE ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT HONORSSophomore Emma Winstead (Iowa City, Iowa/Iowa City West) garnered recognition for her efforts in the classroom with her selection as a first-team Capital One Academic All-America All-District VI recipient.

Winstead earned the honor for the first time and remains in contention for national Academic All-America laurels.

To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at his/her current institution. Nominated athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team’s games at the position listed on the nomination form (where applicable).

Winstead, who maintains a 4.0 GPA in pre-pharmacy, has appeared in 18 games for Drake registering two shots from her defender’s slot. She has helped the Bulldogs to three shutouts this fall, including two in conference action and 11 for her career.

DRAKE TIDBITS• By virtue of their 4-2 shootout win versus Loyola on Sunday (Nov. 3), the Bulldogs advanced into the semifinals of the MVC Championship for the first time since the 2009 campaign.• Drakes goes in search of its first MVC Tournament victory since a 3-1 win past Indiana State in 2009, when it battles Indiana State on Friday (Nov. 8).• A triumph over the Sycamores and the Bulldogs move into their initial MVC title game since 2006, when Drake defeated Evansville, 1-0, in Omaha, Neb., to secure the first-ever NCAA Tournament berth for the Bulldogs.• Drake is 3-3 all-time in the semifinal round of the MVC Tournament, while posting 2-4-2 and 1-2 marks, respectively, in quarterfinal and championship games.• Senior Kalena Litch (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) has collected 11 saves in three career MVC Tournament games.• Generve Charles (Wausau, Wis./Wausau East) and Paige Dusek are Drake’s active tournament leaders with seven shots apiece. The Bulldogs have received six, four, three, three shots, respectively, in MVC Tournament games from Ashlie Stokes, Rhian Pritchard, Megan Fisher (Ankeny, Iowa) and Brittany Schuling.• Stokes’ goal against Loyola represented the first tally for a Bulldog in tournament play since Laura Moklestad in 2009.• Drake played in six conference games this season with all six games resulting in a shutout decision. A year ago, four of the Bulldogs six league tilts ended with shutouts.• Paige Dusek and Ashlie Stokes enter competition versus Indiana State on Friday (Nov. 8) having registered 61 and 51 shots, respectively, this season. The marks represent the fifth- and ninth-best single-season outputs in program history.• Andrea Swanson is currently ranked fourth in the single-season Drake record book in both saves (95) and minutes played (1835:58).• Drake’s goal versus Loyola in the regular season by Rebecca Rodgers ended a nearly 400-minute stretch (387:47) without a goal for the Bulldogs.• Andrea Swanson was solid in six MVC games, recording 25 saves, while owning a 0.94 goals against average and two shutouts.• College Sports Madness selected four Bulldogs for its postseason All-Missouri Valley Conference squad. Paige Dusek was tabbed a first-team selection, while Megan Fisher, Rebecca Rodgers and Ashlie Stokes were named to the second team.• Drake recorded its initial goal in league play against Loyola. The Bulldogs’ defense was been nearly as stingy, allowing only six goals in conference action, with three of those six occurring at Illinois State.• Drake owns a 3-0-2 record when scoring first this season.• Seniors Megan Fisher and Brittany Schuling moved into the top-10 at Drake in games played with appearances in the Bulldogs’ contest at Loyola on Sunday (Nov. 3). The duo has played in 77 games at Drake.• Andrea Swanson owns a pair of 10-save performances this fall. Her two double-digit save efforts are the most in a single season for a Bulldog since Kalena Litch posted four during the 2011 campaign, including a 12-save game against Creighton on Oct. 18, 2011.• Rebecca Rodgers’ five goals this season represent the highest total for a Drake rookie since Paige Dusek recorded five in 2010.• Rebecca Rodgers’ 47 shots this fall are the most for a Drake freshman since Sarah Foote registered 48 shots for the entire 2004 campaign.• Andrea Swanson’s 10-save effort against Iowa State marked the most saves in a game by a Bulldog since senior Kalena Litch made 10 stops versus Creighton on Oct. 11, 2012. Swanson followed that effort with a 10-save game against Western Illinois (Oct. 9).• Junior Ashlie Stokes has moved into the career top 10 at Drake in shots (122) at eighth, while rising to seventh on the career list in goals (12) with her goal at Loyola on Sunday (Nov. 3).• Following its 1-0 setback at Evansville (Sept. 29), Drake is now 7-5 all-time in MVC openers, including 6-5-1 in road league lidlifters.• Ashlie Stokes’ multi-goal effort against Eastern Illinois (Sept. 20) was the second of the season for a Bulldog. Paige Dusek netted a pair of goals at UC Davis on Sept. 1. It marks the first time since the 2011 campaign that two Bulldogs have recorded multi-goal efforts in the same season. That year Tara Zika and Danielle Figliola accomplished the feat.• Fifteen of Drake’s 19 games this season have been decided by a goal or less, with the Bulldogs owning a pair of wins and five ties in those 15 contests.• The Bulldogs’ offense has been led this season by Paige Dusek, Rebecca Rodgers and Ashlie Stokes as the trio has accounted for 14 of Drake’s 17 goals.• Ashlie Stokes, Paige Dusek, freshman Kayla Armstrong (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier) and Rebecca Rodgers have registered 194 of the Bulldogs’ 267 shots this season.• Ashlie Stokes is Drake’s active career leaders in goals (12) and points (29), while Dusek has recorded 11 career goals and leads the Bulldogs in shots (139), while ranking second in points (28). Brittany Schuling paces the squad in assists (14) and is rated second in points (28) with Stokes directing the team in game-winning goals (6).• Paige Dusek, Ashlie Stokes, Brittany Schuling and Generve Charles have registered 139, 122, 97 and 75 career shots, respectively. • Megan Fisher leads active Bulldogs in games played (77) and contests started (77).• Megan Fisher, Kylie DeHaven and Rebecca Rodgers have started every game they have appeared in a Drake uniform during their respective careers. The quartet has started 77, 39 and 18 contests, respectively.• Dusek’s five goals this season match a career high set during her freshman campaign of 2010.• Paige Dusek’s two-goal effort at UC Davis was the first multi-goal performance for a Bulldog since Ashlie Stokes recorded a pair of tallies in a 3-2 win over UMKC last season, and the second of Dusek’s career.• Andrea Swanson was chosen as the MVC Goalkeeper Player of the Week for the period of Sept. 30 - Oct. 6. Swanson faced her former team for the first time, recording a Drake career-high 10 saves in the Bulldogs’ 1-1 double-overtime tie with Iowa State (Oct. 6). Nine of her 10 saves came in the second half and overtime against the Cyclones, including four saves alone in the second-overtime period.• College Sports Madness named Paige Dusek its Madness Women’s Soccer MVC Player of the Week on Sept. 10 after she registered team highs in goals (3), points (6) and shots on goal (3), while playing 196 of a possible 200 minutes in Drake’s two games at Pacific and UC Davis.• Paige Dusek and Megan Fisher were named all-tournament selections at the Pacific Soccer Classic.• Drake’s game versus SIU Edwardsville (Aug. 25) marked the 100th in the head coaching career of Lindsey Horner.• Kalena Litch is Drake’s career leader in saves (317), wins (26) and minutes played (5,483), while ranking second in career shutouts (19).• Senior Brittany Schuling is ranked fourth in career assists (14) and 10th in points (28) at Drake. Paige Dusek is rated fifth in career shots (139), ninth in goals (11) and 10th in points (28), while Ashlie Stokes and Generve Charles are ranked seventh (12) and 10th (9), respectively, in career goals.• The Bulldogs have continued their solid play at home under sixth-year head coach Lindsey Horner, having gone 30-20-6 in her five seasons.• Drake has continued its trend under Horner of playing close games as the Bulldogs have had 83 games in her six seasons as head coach decided by one goal or less, including 15 of 19 this season.

The Bulldogs had their opportunities to register goals in the affair recording a 17-11 advantage in shots, with six different players netting shots on goal. The Sycamores bettered Drake in shots on goal, 7-6, and posted three shots in overtime, including the game-winner by Reed.

OCTOBER HAS BEEN OUR MONTHThe change of seasons has boded well for Drake over the years as the flipping of the calendar from September to October has ignited the Bulldogs into some of their best soccer of the season. In Drake’s last 11 seasons, including this fall, the Bulldogs own a 52-30-9 record in the month of October.

BULLDOGS’ THIRD ANNUAL “KICK CANCER” GAMEDrake’s game with Western Illinois (Oct. 9) served as the third annual “KICK Cancer Game”. The contest was an effort to create awareness about cancer research with this year’s focus being on Ovarian Cancer.

Drake’s active leader in career shots is Dusek with 139, while ranking second in goals (11) and points (28). Fisher has started all 77 games of her Bulldog’ career and owns six goals, four assists on 49 shots. Hoover has started 64 of the 71 games in which she has played, recording 10 shots. Litch is Drake’s career leader in saves (317), wins (26) and minutes played (5,483), while ranking second in career shutouts (19). Posting an assist on four shots in 21 contests as a Bulldog is Maxwell. Schuling is Drake’s active leader in games played (77), assists (14), while ranking second in points (28) and third in goals (7) and shots (97).

ON THIS DATE IN BULLDOG HISTORYDrake is playing in its first-ever contest on Nov. 8 when it battles Indiana State. The game also marks the third-latest date the Bulldogs have played a game in program history. On Nov. 9, 2007, Drake dropped a 3-2 decision versus Illinois State in the semifinals of the MVC Championship, while a year earlier, the Bulldogs suffered a 2-0 NCAA Tournament setback at Saint Louis on Nov. 10, 2006.

IN OUR LAST FIVE GAMESThe Bulldogs own a 1-2-2 mark in their last five contests, with three of the five occurring away from home. Rebecca Rodgers and Ashlie Stokes each own a goal for Drake in those games. Rodgers and Stokes lead the team in scoring in that span with two points apiece, while Kylie DeHaven and Emma Winstead have each added a point. Paige Dusek, Stokes, Kayla Armstrong and Rodgers pace the Bulldogs with 17, 10, seven and seven shots, respectively. Andrea Swanson has been peppered by 64 shots in that span in goal and has recorded 27 saves.

EXPERIENCED SQUAD RETURNS FOR DRAKEThe Bulldogs return an experienced squad this season as 10 starters and 14 letterwinners are back for a Drake team that finished the 2012 campaign with a 12-5-3 ledger, including 3-1-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Junior Ashlie Stokes paced the Bulldogs with a team-high seven goals last season, while senior Generve Charles added six goals. Senior Brittany Schuling collected a team-best six assists in 2012. Senior goalkeeper Kalena Litch pulled in 94 saves a year ago en route to registering eight shutouts and a 0.91 goals against average.

BULLDOGS TRIO EARNS PRESEASON ALL-MVC ACCOLADESDrake seniors Megan Fisher and Brittany Schuling along with junior Ashlie Stokes were among 13 players tabbed by a vote of the seven Missouri Valley Conference head women’s soccer coaches as All-MVC Preseason first-team selections, the league announced on Aug. 14.

Fisher, a unanimous selection, started all 20 games for Drake as a junior, posting a goal and an assist en route to collecting first-team All-MVC honors. She helped anchor a Drake defensive unit that registered eight shutouts.

Schuling started all 20 games for the Bulldogs, registering two goals and a team-high six assists en route to garnering second-team All-MVC recognition. She finished third on the team in shots (34) and fourth in shots on goal (14) and assisted on three game-winning goals. Schuling ranked second in the MVC in assists (6) and assists per game (0.30).

Starting all 20 games for Drake and leading the Bulldogs in goals (7), points (17), shots (59), shots on goal (29) and game-winners (4) en route to being tabbed a first-team All-MVC selection was Stokes. She was named to the 2012 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Great Lakes Regional third-team squad. Stokes led the MVC in game-winning goals (4), while ranking second in shots (59) and third in shots per game (2.95), points (17), points per contest (0.85), goals (7) and goals per game (0.35).

PRESEASON MVC POLL TABS DRAKE SECONDDrake was picked to finish second in the MVC Coaches Preseason poll with 39 points and one first-place vote. Pegged ahead of the Bulldogs was league favorite Illinois State (47 points). Rounding out the poll were Evansville (33 points), Indiana State (23 points), Missouri State (21 points), Northern Iowa (17 points) and Loyola (16 points).

NATIONALLY SPEAKINGAndrea Swanson is nationally-ranked at No. 44 and No. 75 in the NCAA in total saves (95) and saves per game (5.00), respectively.

UP NEXTA victory by Drake sends the Bulldogs into a 1:07 p.m. tilt versus the winner of the other MVC semifinal pitting Illinois State versus Evansville on Friday (Nov. 10) in Evansville, Ind., a setback and the 2013 campaign will have drawn to a close.